Method, apparatus and system for concentrating solutions using evaporation

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for concentrating a solution. The system includes a humidification device and a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device. The humidification device includes humidification media to facilitate evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution. The method includes flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device including humidification media, flowing a gas through the humidification media, and flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media. There is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas. The solution to be concentrated may be salt water and the gas may be air.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for concentrating a solution comprising:
 a humidification device comprising humidification media; 
 a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device, the humidification media facilitating evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution; and 
 a cleaning circuit comprising:
 a cleaning solution container for cleaning solution; and 
 a closable outlet flow path fluidly connecting the cleaning solution container with the solution flow path, for controllable flow of cleaning solution from the cleaning solution container through at least part of the solution flow path. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet flow path is closable by a one way valve. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning circuit further comprises a closable return flow path fluidly connecting the solution flow path with the cleaning solution container for return flow of cleaning solution to the cleaning solution container. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the return flow path is closable by a one way valve. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning circuit further comprises a heater for heating the cleaning solution. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more sensors for sensing process conditions of the system that indicate a buildup of solids in the solution flow path to provide an indication that the cleaning circuit needs to be activated. 
     
     
       7. A method of concentrating a solution comprising:
 flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device comprising humidification media; 
 flowing a gas through the humidification media; 
 flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media, such that there is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas; and 
 periodically flushing cleaning solution through at least part of the flow path to de-scale the flow path. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning solution is fresh water. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning solution is heated prior to entering the flow path. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning solution is flushed through at least part of the flow path at or after system shutdown. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein cleaning solution is flushed through at least part of the flow path during operation when increased pump load is detected. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7  further comprising sensing process conditions using one or more sensors, and flushing cleaning solution through at least part of the flow path when the sensors indicate a buildup of solids in the solution flow path.